CVS Caremark Presents Influenza Vaccine Data at Rescheduled 2008 DMAA Annual Meeting

CVS Caremark announced today the findings from a yearlong study, suggesting that influenza vaccinations can help reduce the risk of hospitalizations in patients with chronic conditions. These findings will be presented on Tuesday, November 25th at the annual meeting of DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance, in Hollywood, Fla.

"This data furthers our understanding of the positive impact of influenza vaccinations," said Marsha Moore, MD, Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs, CVS Caremark. "The results are an example of how our Proactive Pharmacy Care approach can help patients dealing with chronic conditions benefit from the positive impact of an annual influenza vaccination and can be an important tool for communicating the need for flu vaccine in this patient population."

The CVS Caremark study monitored the impact of influenza vaccination on subsequent hospitalization rates for all participants. Results indicated that for chronic disease patients who received the influenza vaccine there was a 19% reduction in hospitalization for all causes and a 24% reduction in flu and pneumonia-related hospitalizations.

The study and analysis evaluated 19,908 participants enrolled in a comprehensive common chronic disease management program. The subjects were selected from a continuously enrolled population of all ages -- all of whom were predetermined to have one of a number of chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Investigators assessed hospital visits in 2006, and the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups had equal distributions of gender, age and co morbidities. The presence of influenza vaccine was derived from self-reported patient data as well as medical claims.

Influenza vaccination is one of the universal recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a specific cohort of patients of all ages, including those with chronic disease, as well as elderly and pediatric patients.

"By reducing the number of hospitalizations and overall risks of complications the appropriate use of the influenza vaccination could result in a number of benefits for patients, and even lower the costs of care for those who receive the vaccination," said Dr. Moore.

About CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark is the largest provider of prescriptions in the nation. The Company fills or manages more than 1 billion prescriptions annually. Through its unmatched breadth of service offerings, CVS Caremark is transforming the delivery of health care services in the U.S. The Company is uniquely positioned to effectively manage costs and improve health care outcomes through its more than 6,800 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores; its Caremark Pharmacy Services division (pharmacy benefit management, mail order and specialty pharmacy); its retail-based health clinic subsidiary, MinuteClinic; and its online pharmacy, CVS.com. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site, at cvscaremark.com/investors, as well as through the press room section of the Company's Web site, at cvscaremark.com/newsroom.

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SOURCE: CVS Caremark